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Poplar instead of Pine?

So I have a good question, for all the ones who like to experiment? Has anyone tryed poplar for a hive? I have heard of people using different woods but most are more exspensive. Anything you can give me would be great.

Re: Poplar instead of Pine?

Holding up to the weather I know is not in issue, alot of people make carriages out of it. Also I don't know if anyone has bumped up from using super paint by sherwin williams but I am using the duration, its pricey but it is worth it. My thing was just making sure that the bees will be happy thats my priority. I will be glad to experiment and post a few pics, and price. I just wanted to see if anybody thats experienced ( 3rd yr for me) had tryed before. I heard walnut from a guy thinking of mites. He told me bugs dont like walnut which makes me think, why would bees then?

Re: Poplar instead of Pine?

Poplar is fine for deep hive bodies and supers. In this area poplar is about half the cost of pine. They will be slightly heavier than pine, the ends may split unless you predrill holes for box joints or rabit joints. Poplar lumber needs to be air dried for at least 9 months or you will have severe shrinkage. They will last for years with no paint. Most barn doors in this area are made with poplar, and they are not painted. I like pine for deep supers, and I use a lot of poplar on shallow supers. The bees don't care.
cchoganjr

Re: Poplar instead of Pine?

Not only are they pretty when they are blooming, they make great honey. Just don't bloom long enough to afford to move bees into their area. But great honey, if you have bees there.

As to endangered species, our area has zillions of poplars. It is perhaps the most common lumber, along with red oak. They are as thick as pines in Georgia. That is why poplar is about half the price of pine in our area. We have a good supply of cedar, but very little pine. It is not uncommon to get 10 or more logs from one poplar tree. They grow in hollows, straight and tall with very few limbs.

Re: Poplar instead of Pine?

I've had the same question. I can get poplar for a lot less cost but I've decided to get scrap wood from friends in construction to build with. Now, if it were okay to use poplar (assuming no warping, drying issues) I'd love to use it. I don't want to store it for nine months to wait for it to dry assuming that is correct.

I do check the junk wood isle at home depo ect.. whenever I'm in there on business. Got at $13 board to 75 cents the other day. It had about three small paint marks on it so they put it in the discount row for sale.

Try living life with the attitude it's not about what you want to do but what you should do!